User-specific event popularity map

ABSTRACT

Information can be provided in a convenient manner to help a user decide what events to attend. The information can include information regarding a popularity of the events. The popularity of the events can be based upon the number of people expected to attend, the number of the user&#39;s friends expected to attend, and/or the number of people fitting user-defined criteria who are expected to attend. The events for a user-specified time period can be shown on a map along with information representing the popularity of the events. Thus, the user can choose to attend those events in the user&#39;s area which are more popular. The map can be displayed on a user device, such as a cellular telephone. In this manner, the user can more readily attend those particular events which the user is more likely to enjoy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/631,307, filed Sep. 28, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/540,136, filed Sep. 28, 2011, allof which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to electronic commerce and,more particularly, relates to a method and system for providing a userwith a map of events wherein the events can be coded, for example,according popularity as determine by user-specified criteria.

2. Related Art

Event calendars are well known. Event calendars show when events such asconcerts and sporting event will occur. For example, event calendars cancommonly be found in newspapers, magazines, and online. Such eventcalendars typically specify what the event is (such as the name of aband for a concert event or the names of the opposing teams for asporting event), the time and date of the event, and the venue for theevent. Such information can be helpful to a person who is searching foran event to attend. However, such information does not let the personknow how popular the event is or how many of the person's friends may beattending the event.

Social networks may provide information regarding what events theperson's friends are planning to attend. However, this information isnot presented in a convenient and sufficiently useful manner. The personmay have to search through many of their friend's social network pagesand/or messages to determine which of the user's friends are going towhich events. Often, such information regarding what events the person'sfriends are planning to attend is not available via social networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing user-specific eventpopularity maps, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for providing user-specificevent popularity maps, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing further detail of the method forproviding user-specific event popularity maps, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a computer that is suitablefor use in the system for providing user-specific event popularity maps,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an example of a display (such as a screen shot) of auser-specific event popularity map containing event icons that can beshown on a user device, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is an example of a display (such as a screen shot) of auser-specific event popularity map containing event icons and a pop-upwindow that provides additional information, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, information can be provided in a convenientmanner to help a user decide what events to attend. The information caninclude information regarding a user-defined popularity or expectedattendance of the events. The popularity of the events can be based uponthe number of people who are expected to attend, the number of theuser's friends who are expected to attend, and/or the number of peoplefitting user-defined criteria who are expected to attend, for example.The events for a user-specified time period can be shown on a map alongwith information representing the popularity of the events. Thus, auser-specific event popularity map can be provided.

The map can be displayed on a user device, such as a cellular telephone.Thus, the user can choose to attend those events which are more popularor which meet other user-defined criteria. In this manner, the user canmore readily attend those particular events which the user is morelikely to enjoy.

The events can be social or recreational events, such as concerts andsporting events. The events can be business related events, such asbusiness meetings, conferences, retreats, and the like. The user-definedcriteria for such recreational events can include the names of specificfriends who the user wants to know are attending. Other user-definedcriteria for such recreational events can include attributes of peoplesuch as their sex, age, or any other attributes for which informationcan be obtained. The user-defined criteria for business related eventscan include the names of co-workers, superiors (supervisors, managers,officers of a company, members of a board of directors, stockholders,and the like), employees, guests (such as guest speakers) and the likewho the user wants to know are attending.

The user-defined criteria for any events can include shared socialattributes. Such social attributes can include likes, dislikes, ages,sexes, and the like. Different social attributes can be used withdifferent types of events. For example, the user may want to attendbaseball games only with other beer drinkers (or conversely, the usermay want to attend baseball games only with other non-drinkers). In thismanner, the user can apply social filtering to the event.

The popularity can be determined by other criteria. The popularity canbe determined by criteria regarding what, other than people, is to bepresent. For example, a user who is interested in blues music can set upthe system to give a higher popularity rating to an event that featuresblues music than an event that features another type of entertainment.The user can set up the system to weigh events based on such factors.For example, the user can set up the system to increase the popularityby 50 percent when blues music is featured and to decrease thepopularity by 50 percent when heavy metal music is featured.

The popularity can be determined, at least in part, by negativecriteria. For example, the absence of people generally, the absence ofspecified people specifically, the absence of people having specifiedattributes (such as sex or age) and/or the absence of specified things(cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, a specific genre of music,and/or loud music, for example) can result in a higher popularity.

User-specified types of events can be filtered out or omitted. Forexample, if the user does not want to attend basketball games, thenbasketball games can be omitted from the map. User-specified types ofevents can be highlighted. For example, if the user is particularlyinterested in attending hockey games, then hockey games can behighlighted on the map with color, brightness, size, or any otherattribute.

The events can be filtered on any desired criteria. For example, theevents can be filtered on other criteria such as venue size, type offood served, type of beverages offered (such as alcoholic vs. onlynon-alcoholic), smoking vs. non-smoking, type of seating (plush vs.hard), and the like.

The expected attendance can be determined, at least in part, via ticketsales, social media, social networks, history, online sales ofassociated or proxy products (such as Metallica t-shirts near a venuewhere Metallica is about to play). The expected attendance can bedetermined, at least in part, by indications of interest or indicationsof expected attendance provided by prospective attendees. For example,the number of people visiting a website regarding the event can providean indication of expected attendance. As a further example, people canbe queried regarding their likelihood of attending and their responses,at least in part, can be used to determine the expected attendance.

The time remaining until the event can be taken into account when usingticket sales to determine the expected attendance. Thus, the number ofunsold tickets which will be sold before the event take place can beestimated based upon the ticket sales to date and based upon the timeremaining before the event. This estimate can help to better determinethe expected attendance of the event. The popularity of an event can bebased, at least in part, upon the percentage of the venue's capacity forwhich tickets have been sold or which is expected to be sold prior tothe event.

The expected attendance can be inferred, at least in part, from thepopularity of the event as listed on review web sites such as Yelp. Suchinformation can be combined with other information to determine thepopularity of the event. For example, the popularity of the event can bedetermined from the historic popularity of the venue as determined fromone or more review web sites combined with the popularity of theattraction (the entertainer, the band, the teams, etc.) as determined byhistoric attendance of events featuring the attraction.

The population of the geographic area within which the venue is located,as well as demographic information regarding the population can be used,at least in part, to determine the popularity of the event. For example,if the attraction generally appeals to people in the age range of 18-25and the demographics for the area within which the venue is locatedindicates that a large percentage of the population is in the age rangeof 18-25, then this information can tend to increase the popularity ofthe event.

Users can be queried regarding their likelihood of attending an eventwhen they are using the user-specific event popularity maps disclosedherein. For example, when a user shows interested in a particular event,such as by requesting further information regarding the event, then theuser can be queried regarding the user's likelihood of attending theevent.

The map can be displayed only for events on a specified date. The mapcan be displayed for events during a period of time, such as during aspecified week, month, or user defined period of time. The map can bedisplayed for events that occur during a user-specified period of time.

According to an embodiment, a system can comprise a first memory forstoring map information for a geographic area and a second memory forstoring upcoming event information for a plurality of upcoming events.The event information can include information regarding what the eventis, when the event is happening, where the event is happening, and someindication of the expected attendance for the event (such as ticketsales to date and/or estimated future ticket sales).

One or more processors can be operable to receive a first communicationincluding an indication of a desire of a user to view an eventpopularity map for at least some of the upcoming events. Theprocessor(s) can be operable to access the map information, access theupcoming event information, and combine the upcoming event informationwith the map information to at least partially define the popularitymap. The event popularity map can indicate locations of the upcomingevents and can indicate an expected attendance of the upcoming events.The processor(s) can be operable to send a second communicationincluding the event popularity map to the user.

The event popularity map can indicate an amount of the expectedattendance by at least one of a color of an event icon and a size of theevent icon. For example, an event icon can be placed on the map at thelocation of the event and the size of the event icon can be proportionalto the expected attendance, i.e., bigger event icons can indicate higherexpected attendance (either as a percentage of the capacity of the venueor simply as the number of people expected to attend the event). Thecolor, size, or any other attribute of the icon can provide any otherdesired information regarding the event.

A spectrum of colors can be used to indicate attendance. For example,red can indicate a full house, orange can indicate a nearly full house,yellow can indicate a half full house, and so on. The number of expectedattendees or friends who plan to attend can be provided, such as upon ornear the icon, for example. The number of expected attendees or friendswho plan to attend can be provided in a pop-up window, as discussedherein.

The expected attendance for the upcoming events can be based upon anumber of people who have purchased tickets for the upcoming events. Theexpected attendance can be based upon historic information, such as thenumber of people who have attended similar events in the past. Theexpected attendance for the upcoming events can be based upon any usefulcriteria or combination of criteria.

According to an embodiment, the processor(s) can be operable to accesssocial network information to determine which of the user's friends willbe attending which of the upcoming events. For example, the processor(s)can access social network information from social networks such asFacebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Yelp, MeetMe, MyYearbook, Google+,MySpace, and Pinterest. The expected attendance of the upcoming eventscan be an expected attendance by the user's friends of the upcomingevents. Thus, the map can show event icons that indicate (such as bysize, color, or number) the number of the user's friends who areplanning to attend the event.

According to an embodiment, the first communication can include anindication of a time period for which the upcoming events are to beshown on the popularity map. The first communication can include anindication of an area within which the upcoming events are to be shownon the popularity map. The upcoming event information can be combinedwith the map information for events that occur during the time periodand that are within the area. Defaults or user presets can be used todetermine the time period and/or geographic area of the map.

According to an embodiment, the processor(s) can be operable to receivea third communication including an indication of an event of interest tothe user. The processors(s) can send to the user a fourth communicationincluding additional information regarding the event of interest to theuser.

According to an embodiment, the processor(s) can be operable to receivea third communication including an indication of a filter for theupcoming events. The processor(s) can send to the user a fourthcommunication including filtered information regarding the upcomingevents.

According to an embodiment, a method can comprise storing, in a firstmemory, map information for a geographic area and storing, in a secondmemory, event information for a plurality of upcoming events. The eventinformation can include information regarding what the event is, whenthe vent is happening, where the event is happening, and some indicationof the expected attendance for the event (such as ticket sales to dateand/or estimated future ticket sales).

The method can comprise receiving, electronically by one or moreprocessors, a first communication including an indication of a desire ofa user to view an event popularity map for at least some of the upcomingevents, wherein the event popularity map indicates locations of theupcoming events and indicates an expected attendance of the upcomingevents. The method can comprise accessing, by the processor(s), the mapinformation. The method can comprise accessing, by the processor(s), theupcoming event information. The method can comprise combining, by theprocessor(s), the upcoming event information with the map information toat least partially define the popularity map. The method can comprisesending, by the processor(s), a second communication including the eventpopularity map to the user.

According to an embodiment, a computer program product can comprise anon-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable andexecutable code. The code can instruct one or more processors to performany of the methods disclosed herein.

According to an embodiment, multiple levels of filtering can be providedto help the user determine which events to attend. For example, during aset up process the user can define a first level of filtering byspecifying what types of events to display and within what geographicboundaries the events must occur to be displayed. After the events aredisplayed, the user can, substantially in real time, apply additionalfiltering by specifying more particularly what events to show based uponadditional criteria, such as sex and age demographics of the expectedattendees.

The displayed events can be represented as icons that are representativeof these or other criteria, thus allowing the user to visuallyself-apply additional filtering. For example, the icons can be biggerand/or brighter for events that are more popular to the user, asdetermined by user-defined parameters, e.g., highest popularity forevents where the most of the user's friends are expected to attend, andthe use can visually self-apply filtering by considering only thelargest icons among those which are displayed. In this manner, the usercan more easily visually determine which events best fulfill the user'scriteria.

The filtering process can be iterative. That is, the user can re-applyone or more of the various levels of filtering, such as by changing thecriteria regarding the people expected to attend. The process ofchanging the criteria and displaying the results can continue until theuser is satisfied with the displayed results, e.g., until the userdecides which, if any, of the events to attend.

According to an embodiment, a system can comprise one or more memoriesfor storing map information for a geographic area and for storingupcoming event information for a plurality of upcoming events. Thesystem can further comprise one or more processors that are operable toreceive one or more user specified parameters to determine a popularityof the events for the user, determine upcoming events for a user,determine from the upcoming events and the one or more user specifiedparameters a user-specific event popularity map, and communicate theuser-specific event popularity map to the user for display on a userdevice. The event popularity map can indicate the popularity of theevents by at least one of a color of an event icon and a size of theevent icon. One of the user specified parameters can be an expectedattendance (such as by the general public, the user's friends, and/orpeople fitting any specified criteria) for the upcoming events. Thespecified parameters can include any criteria specified by the user,such as type of music, ages of attendees, sexes of attendees, type ofevent, and the like. The expected attendance can be based upon a numberof people who have purchased tickets for the upcoming events.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing user-specific eventpopularity maps, according to an embodiment. The system can include aplurality of merchant devices 110. The merchant devices 110 can bemerchant checkout terminals, computers, and/or servers, for example.Each of merchant devices 110 can include a memory 111 and a processor112. The merchant devices 110 can be used to collect information thatcan be used, at least in part, to make the user-specific eventpopularity maps. For example, the merchant devices 110 can be used tosell tickets to events (such as concerts and sporting events) and/or torecord reservations for events (such as dinners, dinner theaters, andthe like).

The system can include a user's mobile device 120. The user's mobiledevice 120 can be carried by the user. The user's mobile device 120 canbe a cellular telephone, a smart telephone, a hand held computer, alaptop computer, a notebook computer, or a tablet computer, for example.The user's mobile device 120 can include a processor 121, a memory 122,and a global positioning system (GPS) 123, for example.

An app 124 can be stored in the memory 122 and can be executed by theprocessor 121. The app 124 can be used by the user to request, filter,and view the user-specific event popularity map.

The system can include a plurality of other mobile devices 140. Theother mobile devices 140 can be carried by other users. The other mobiledevices 140 can be cellular telephones, smart telephones, hand heldcomputers, laptop computers, notebook computers, or tablet computers,for example. Each of the other mobile devices 140 can include aprocessor 141, a memory 142, and a global positioning system (GPS) 143,for example.

An app 144 can be stored in the memory 142 of each of the other mobiledevices 140 and can be executed by the processor 141. The app 144 can beused by others (people other than the user) to perform activities suchas purchasing tickets, making reservations, posting information to asocial network, indicating an interest in attending an event, and thelike. Information regarding such activities can be used by the system,at least in part, to make the user-specific event popularity map.

The system can include servers 130. The servers 130 can be a singleserver or can be a plurality of servers, operated by the same ordifferent entities. The servers 130 can be any number of servers, whichcan be located with one another (collocated) or can be located remotelywith respect to one another. For example, the servers 130 can comprise aserver of an online ticket seller such as StubHub, a server of a paymentprovider such as PayPal, and/or one or more other servers.

The servers 130 can include one or more processors 131 and a memory 132.The memory 132 can be associated with an online ticket seller or apayment provider. The memory 132 can be a distributed memory. The memory132 can store a user's account 133, other user's accounts 134, andmerchant's accounts 135. The servers 130 can be configured and used tomake the event popularity map.

One or more social network 150 can provide information regardingexpected attendance at events by the user's friends. The social networks150 can include Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Yelp, MeetMe,MyYearbook, Google+, MySpace, Pinterest, and the like. The socialnetworks 150 can include any servers, websites, or the like thatreceive, store, provide, post, communicate, disseminate, and/orbroadcast information regarding the attendance, potential attendance, orintended attendance of events by people, such as members of the socialnetworks 150.

The merchant devices 110, the user's mobile device 120, the other mobiledevices 140, the servers 130, and/or the social networks 150 cancommunicate with one another via a network, such as the Internet 140.The merchant devices 110, the mobile device 120, the other mobiledevices 140, the servers 130, and/or the social networks 150 cancommunicate with one another via one or more networks, such as localarea networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), cellular telephonenetworks, and the like.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flow charts that describe examples of operation of thesystem for providing user-specific event popularity maps according toembodiments thereof. Note that one or more of the steps described hereinmay be combined, omitted, or performed in a different order, as desiredor appropriate.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for providing user-specificevent popularity maps, according to an embodiment. A user can set up theapp 124 for providing event popularity maps on the user's mobile device120, as shown in step 201. During a set up process, the user can use theapp 124 and/or a web page to define the user's preferences. For example,the user can specify filtering, what information the event icons are toshow, how the event icons are to be displayed, names of user's friends,social networks of the friends, photographs of the friends, as well asdefaults for locations and time periods for the event popularity maps.

The user can specify any default filtering that is to be applied toevent popularity maps as the event popularity maps are initiallyprovided to the user, Additional or different filtering can then berequested and applied on a case-by-case basis. The user can requestfilters during the set up process to define the desired geographic areato be shown in the event popularity maps and the types of events to beshown on the event popularity maps. For example, the user can set up thesystem to initially provide a map for the entire city in which the useris located when the user requests an event popularity map, as based uponthe GPS location of the user's mobile device 120. As a further example,the user can also set up the system to initially provide a map showingonly certain types of events, such as sporting events, on the eventpopularity maps.

The user can specify what the event icons contain or show. The user canspecify what types of events are to be shown on the event popularitymaps as icons and what information regarding the events is to be shownin or along with the icons. For example, the user can specify that onlyfootball games are to be shown and that the information shown shouldinclude the names of the teams playing, the venue, the time and date ofthe game, and how many tickets have been sold for the event.

The user can specify how the event icons are shown. The user can specifythat the events are to be shown as geometric shapes, drawings,photographs, text or any other indicia. For example, baseball games canbe shown as a drawing of a baseball bat, unless the user's favorite teamis playing and then a photograph of the pitcher for that team can beshown, a drawing of a guitar can be shown for concerts, and a cocktailglass can be shown for events at nightclubs.

The icons can be shown larger or in a different color as more people areexpected to attend an event. The icons can be shown larger or in adifferent color as more of the user friends are expected to an event.The icons can be shown larger or in a different color as more of thepeople attending the event are expected to fit user-defined criteria orfiltering.

The user can specify the names of friends, social networks of thefriends, passwords for the social networks, and/or provide photographsof the friends. The servers 130 can use the names and social networkinformation of the friends to determine which of the user's friends areexpected to attend the event. For example, the servers 130 can query orinvestigate the social networks of the friends to determine if thefriends have indicated an interest in attending the events. Thephotographs of the friend can be displayed as the icons, as pop-ups(such as in pop-up windows) when a cursor is place over an event, or inany other manner.

The user can select an event on a map, such as by tapping, clicking on,passing over, or hovering over the icon. Various different kinds ofinformation can be displayed or provided as audio when the user selectsan icon. The information can include the event name, venue, date, time,number of people who have RSVP's, purchased tickets, or otherwiseindicate that they intend to attend the event. Information such as thenumber of the user's friends attending the event, the number of femalesattending the event, the number of males attending the event, as well asinformation relating to the age distribution of people attending theevent, and the like can be displayed. The information to be displayedcan be a default of the system and/or can be selected by the user inreal time and/or as part of a set up process.

In this manner, the user can determine whether or not the demographicsof the event are consistent with the user's desired demographics for theevent. Thus, the user can more readily select and attend those eventswhich are consistent with the user's desired demographics.

A picture of the attraction (the entertainer, band, or sports team, forexample) can be displayed when the user selects the icon. Audio of theentertainer, band, or sports announcer can be provided. Audio and videofor a commercial for the event can be provided. Advertisements can beprovided in an attempt to entice the user to attend the event. Discountsor premiums can be offered.

Audio, video, or text requesting more information from the user can beprovided when the user selects the icon. For example, if there aremultiple occurrences of the same event within the specified time period,the user can be asked which occurrence the user is most interested inand the system can respond by providing specific information for theselected occurrence.

Selecting the icon can invite the user to play a game and/or caninitiate the game. Advertisements, such as for the event, can beincluded with or can be integral to the game. For example, when thecursor passes over a baseball game, the user can be asked to pick from alist the name of a baseball player whose photograph is displayed. Apredetermined number of correct answers can allow the user to win aprized such as a discount or premium associated with the event or anextra ticket for the event. In this manner, the user can be exposed toadditional advertising in a manner that not only lacks the objection ofthe user, but to which the user has chosen to be exposed.

The pop-up windows can be displayed when users have an interest in aparticular event (the event for which the pop-up window is displayed).The frequency with which such pop-up windows are invoked can be used, atleast in part, to determine the expected attendance for the event. Forexample, the number of times that a particular pop-up window is invokedand/or the amount of time that the pop-up window remains displayed canbe an indication of interest of users of the system for the particularevent. A user can be queried by the pop-up window regarding the user'sinterest and/or likelihood of attending the event and the user'sresponse can be used, at least in part, to determine expected attendancefor the event.

The user can specify defaults for locations and time periods for theevent popularity maps. The user can specify that the event popularitymaps show a geographic area within a given distance around the user'spresent location (as determined by the user's GPS location), show ageographic area within a given distance around the user's home, and orshow a geographic area within a given distance around a location thatwas specified by the user. For example, the user can specify that allevents within ten miles of the user's present location and/or all eventsin the user's home city be displayed.

The user can specify a default for the time period during which theevents shown on the event popularity map are to occur. For example, theuser can specify that all specified events that day, within the nextweek, or within the next month be displayed.

The user can request an event popularity map via the app 124, as shownin step 202. The servers 130 can determine expected attendanceinformation for a plurality of events in a specified time frame andgeographic area, as shown in step 203. The servers 130 can make theevent popularity map using the expected attendance information and mapinformation, as shown in step 204. The event popularity map can be madeusing system defaults (such as system defaults that can be provided by asystem administrator and that can be common among all or a substantialportion of the users) or using user presets (that are provided by theuser, such as during an initial or subsequent setup process). Theservers 130 can send the event popularity map to the user, as shown instep 205.

The user can use the app 124 to request that the servers 130 applyfilters to the event popularity map. For example, the user can requestthat the servers 130 apply filters to cause the event popularity map toshow only those events expected to be attended by female friends of theuser between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, that occur onWednesday, and that are in venues on the east side of town, as shown instep 206. The servers 130 can apply the filters to the event popularitymap to make a revised event popularity map, as shown in step 207. Theservers 130 can then send the revised event popularity map to the user,as shown in step 208.

The user can use the app 124 to select a particular event shown on therevised event popularity map, as shown in step 209. Selecting the eventcan be done by clicking on the event, hovering over the event, orotherwise providing an indication of an interest in the event. Selectingthe event can include purchasing tickets for the event. The tickets canbe purchased automatically when the user selects the event or the usercan be requested by the servers 130 to verify that the user would liketo purchase such ticket, queried regarding the number of tickets to bepurchased, and queried regarding any other information required by theserve 130 so that the servers 130 can sell the tickets to the user. Theservers 130 can send additional information regarding the selected eventto the user, as shown in step 210.

Filtering can be applied sequentially as many times as desired. Forexample, the default filter may show several events the same eveningwherein each event is considered to be popular based upon ticket salesor initial user defined popularity categories/parameters. The user canselect and filter several of the events to see which ones have friendsof the user attending. If showing the user's friends who are attendingthe events does not help (such as when few or no friends are attending),then the user can apply criteria to filter on age and sex. For example,a twenty-four year old man may want to see which event has the most18-24 year old women in attendance.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing further detail of the method forproviding user-specific event popularity maps, according to anembodiment. A first memory can store map information for a geographicarea, as shown in step 301. The first memory can store map informationfor a plurality of different geographic areas. A second memory can storeupcoming event information for a plurality of upcoming events, as shownin step 302. The second memory can store upcoming event information forthe different geographic areas. The first memory and the second memorycan be the same memory. For example, the first memory and the secondmemory can be the memory 132 of one or more servers, such as the servers130. As a further example, the first memory and the second memory can beone or more memories of a payment server and/or an online ticket sellerserver.

The first memory and the second memory can be two or more differentmemories. For example, the first memory can be a memory of a dedicatedserver for making the event popularity maps and the second memory can bea plurality of memories of a plurality of different online sellers,online ticket sellers, venue owners, social networks, and the like.

One or more processors can receive a request from a user to view anevent popularity map for upcoming events that fit some criteria of theuser, wherein the event popularity map indicates locations of theupcoming events and indicates expected attendances of each of theupcoming events, as shown in step 303. The criteria of the user caninclude a geographic area to be shown on the map. The criteria of theuser can include any other desired criteria of the user, such as thedemographics of the expected attendees.

The processor(s) 131 can access the map information, as shown in step304. For example, the processor(s) 131 can access the map informationfrom a dedicated map server, such as that provided by TomTom, MapQuest,or Google Maps. The processors(s) 131 can store and maintain mapinformation independently, thus at least partially eliminating the needto access the map information from a dedicated map server.

The processor(s) 131 can access the upcoming event information for aplurality of events, as shown in step 305. For example, the processor(s)131 can access the upcoming event information from an online ticketseller, such as StubHub, from an online payment provider, such asPayPal, and/or from the plurality of merchant devices 110 (such asmerchant devices of venues). The processors(s) can access the upcomingevent information from websites that promote or list schedules ofevents. The processors(s) can access the upcoming event information fromany source available.

The upcoming event information can include information regarding thepopularity of the events. The processor(s) 131 can combine the upcomingevent information with the map information to at least partially definethe popularity map, as shown in step 306. The processor(s) 131 addinformation regarding the popularity of the events that is obtained fromany sources, such as social networks and users responses to queriesregarding an intention to attend events. The information regarding thepopularity of the events can be based upon data, assumptions,estimations, user responses, history, predictions, ticket sales,merchandise sales, or any other factor or combination of factors.

The processor(s) 131 can send the event popularity map to the user, asshown in step 307. The user can have the servers 130, the user device120, or any other device filter the event popularity map, as discussedherein. Some filter can be performed by one device and other filteringcan be performed by a different device. Filtering may be skipped if theuser has initially defined parameters for the system to determinepopular events for the user, such that the initial user-defined eventpopularity map shown to the user provides the necessary details for theuser.

In implementation of the various embodiments, embodiments of theinvention may comprise a personal computing device, such as a personalcomputer, laptop, PDA, cellular phone or other personal computing orcommunication devices. The payment provider system may comprise anetwork computing device, such as a server or a plurality of servers,computers, or processors, combined to define a computer system ornetwork to provide the payment services provided by a payment providersystem.

In this regard, a computer system may include a bus or othercommunication mechanism for communicating information, whichinterconnects subsystems and components, such as a processing component(e.g., processor, micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP),etc.), a system memory component (e.g., RAM), a static storage component(e.g., ROM), a disk drive component (e.g., magnetic or optical), anetwork interface component (e.g., modem or Ethernet card), a displaycomponent (e.g., CRT or LCD), an input component (e.g., keyboard orkeypad), and/or cursor control component (e.g., mouse or trackball). Inone embodiment, a disk drive component may comprise a database havingone or more disk drive components.

The computer system may perform specific operations by processor andexecuting one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained ina system memory component. Such instructions may be read into the systemmemory component from another computer readable medium, such as staticstorage component or disk drive component. In other embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions to implement the invention.

Payment processing can be through known methods, such as transactiondetails being communicated to the payment provider through the app, thepayment provider processing the details, which may include user accountand identifier information and authentication, merchant information, andtransaction details. The user account may be accessed to determine ifany restrictions or limitations may prevent the transaction from beingapproved. If approved, the payment provider may send a notification tothe merchant and/or the user.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system 400 suitable forimplementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Invarious implementations, the PIN pad and/or merchant terminal maycomprise a computing device (e.g., a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, PDA, Bluetooth device, etc.) capable of communicatingwith the network. The merchant and/or payment provider may utilize anetwork computing device (e.g., a network server) capable ofcommunicating with the network. It should be appreciated that each ofthe devices utilized by users, merchants, and payment providers may beimplemented as computer system 400 in a manner as follows.

Computer system 400 includes a bus 402 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information data, signals, and information betweenvarious components of computer system 400. Components include aninput/output (I/O) component 404 that processes a user action, such asselecting keys from a keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons orlinks, etc., and sends a corresponding signal to bus 402. I/O component404 may also include an output component, such as a display 411 and acursor control 413 (such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, etc.). Anoptional audio input/output component 405 may also be included to allowa user to use voice for inputting information by converting audiosignals. Audio I/O component 405 may allow the user to hear audio. Atransceiver or network interface 406 transmits and receives signalsbetween computer system 400 and other devices, such as a user device, amerchant server, or a payment provider server via network 460. In oneembodiment, the transmission is wireless, although other transmissionmediums and methods may also be suitable. A processor 412, which can bea micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), or other processingcomponent, processes these various signals, such as for display oncomputer system 400 or transmission to other devices via a communicationlink 418. Processor 412 may also control transmission of information,such as cookies or IP addresses, to other devices.

Components of computer system 400 also include a system memory component414 (e.g., RAM), a static storage component 416 (e.g., ROM), and/or adisk drive 417. Computer system 400 performs specific operations byprocessor 412 and other components by executing one or more sequences ofinstructions contained in system memory component 414. Logic may beencoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 412 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Invarious implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magneticdisks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memorycomponent 414, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copperwire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus 402. In oneembodiment, the logic is encoded in non-transitory computer readablemedium. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acousticor light waves, such as those generated during radio wave, optical, andinfrared data communications.

Some common forms of computer readable and executable media include, forexample, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any othermagnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, ROM,E2PROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, carrier wave,or any other medium from which a computer is adapted to read.

In various embodiments, execution of instruction sequences forpracticing the invention may be performed by a computer system. Invarious other embodiments, a plurality of computer systems coupled by acommunication link (e.g., LAN, WLAN, PTSN, or various other wired orwireless networks) may perform instruction sequences to practice theinvention in coordination with one another.

Modules described herein can be embodied in one or more computerreadable media or be in communication with one or more processors toexecute or process the steps described herein.

A computer system may transmit and receive messages, data, informationand instructions, including one or more programs (i.e., applicationcode) through a communication link and a communication interface.Received program code may be executed by a processor as received and/orstored in a disk drive component or some other non-volatile storagecomponent for execution.

Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosuremay be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardwareand software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware componentsand/or software components set forth herein may be combined intocomposite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where applicable,the various hardware components and/or software components set forthherein may be separated into sub-components comprising software,hardware, or both without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated thatsoftware components may be implemented as hardware components andvice-versa—for example, a virtual Secure Element (vSE) implementation ora logical hardware implementation.

Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as programcode and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readable andexecutable mediums. It is also contemplated that software identifiedherein may be implemented using one or more general purpose or specificpurpose computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise.Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein may bechanged, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-stepsto provide features described herein.

According to an embodiment, a service provider, such as StubHub canprovide a map of event locations to a user on a user device, such as asmart phone, tablet, PC, or other computing device. The map area can bebased on the current user location, a user home location, or a locationof interest specified by the user. Events in the area can be representedby different visual representations, depending on the popularity of theevent. For example, a popular event in which a large percentage of theevent capacity is attending can be represented differently than an eventin which a small percentage of event capacity is attending. The data canbe from different sources, such as people indicating they will attendthrough a pop-up window or other interface and/or people havingpurchased tickets for the event.

The user can select an event on the map, such as by tapping the event,clicking on the event, or hovering a cursor over the event. More detailscan be provided by the system for the event, such as by being displayedin a pop-up window. The details can include the event name, venue, date,time, number of people who have RSVP'd, number of people who have boughttickets, number of friends attending, age ranges of people attending,gender demographics of people attending, etc.

The user can filter the events for characteristics of importance. Forexample, the user may want to attend events having more females thanmales in attendance and/or having more young people than old people inattendance. The filter can be event and/or venue specific. For example,for a rock concert, the user may want a lot of people attending, whilefor a small acoustic event, the user may want fewer people attending.For a general admission venue, the user may also want fewer peopleattending. The pop-up window may also enable the user to purchasetickets to the event, share the event with others, invite others toattend the event, RSVP for the event, and the like. Thus, the user cancustomize filtering on a map-by-map basis or on an event-by-event basis.

According to an embodiment, a method can comprise providing, on a userdevice, a map of events within a geographical area. The map can comprisevisual representations of the events. The method can further compriseproviding different visual representations of the events based on apopularity of each event. The popularity can be determined byuser-specified characteristics. The different representations cancomprise different size objects and different color objects. Thepopularity can be based on a number of people attending, planning onattending, and/or indicating attendance of the event. The methodpopularity can be based on a number of friends of the user attending,planning on attending, and/or indicating attendance of the event.

Some of the events can be underway, e.g., have already commenced. Inthis instance, the event popularity map can show the actual number ofpeople attending the event with reasonable accuracy. For example, thetotal number of tickets sold for the event can be considered, with areasonable degree of accuracy, to be the number of people actuallyattending the event.

The map can have a feature that enables a pop-up window to be displayedwhen an event is selected, wherein the pop-up window comprisesinformation about the number of people attending, planning on attending,and/or indicating attendance. The pop-up window can further display agender breakdown of the number of people attending, planning onattending, and/or indicating attendance; an age breakdown of the numberof people attending, planning on attending, and/or indicatingattendance; and/or information (such as names) about friends of the userattending, planning on attending, and/or indicating attendance.

According to an embodiment, the event popularity map can comprise ageographical map having visual representations of events on thegeographical map, wherein the visual representations are different basedon a popularity of each event. The popularity can be determined byuser-specified characteristics, such that an event popular for one usermay be unpopular for another user. For example, one user may likegeneral admission events with as few people as possible, while anotheruser may like a “full house.” The visual representations can comprisedifferent size objects and different color objects. The popularity canbe based on a number of people attending, planning on attending, and/orindicating attendance of the event. The popularity is based on a numberof friends of the user attending, planning on attending, and/orindicating attendance of the event.

FIG. 5 is an example of a display (screen shot) of an event popularitymap containing event icons 501 that can be shown on the user's device120 or the other user's devices 140, according to an embodiment. Onlyevents that will occur during a specified period of time are shown. Theperiod of time, e.g., the start date and the stop date, can be specifiedvia calendars 502. Each of the event icons 501 can indicate when anevent is to occur during the specified period of time.

Filters, such as event filters 503, can allow the user to filter thedisplayed evens, such as by music style, price, and type of venue(indoor vs. outdoor, for example), attendance of friends, distributionof genders, and the like. The events can be filtered according to anycriteria for which information is available.

A scrollable window 504 can show pictures of the user's friends, forexample, who intend to attend each of the displayed events. Thescrollable window 504 can be scrolled horizontally, e.g., to the rightand left, to show which of the user's friend intend to attend theevents.

FIG. 6 shows the event popularity map of FIG. 5 with a pop-up window 511opened, according to an embodiment. The pop-up window 511 can provideinformation regarding a particular event, such as an event over whichthe cursor is hovering. For example, the pop-up window 511 can containthe name of the event, the venue for the event, the time and date forthe event, as well as information regarding the event popularity(information regarding how many people plan to attend the event, howmany of the user's friends plan to attend the event, etc.). The pop-upwindow 511 can contain pictures of the user's friends who intend toattend the event, a box to check if the user is planning to attend theevent, and a feature for facilitating purchasing of tickets to the eventby the user. The pop-up window 511 can contain one or moreadvertisements, such as for the event and/or merchandise associated withthe event. The pop-up window 511 can contain any desired information.

As used herein, the term “merchant” can include any seller of products.The term merchant can include a store. The products can be sold from astore or in any other manner.

As used herein, the term “mobile device” can include any portableelectronic device that can facilitate data communications, such as via acellular network and/or the Internet. Examples of mobile devices includecellular telephones, smart phones, tablet computers, and laptopcomputers.

The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present inventionto the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. It iscontemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications tothe present invention, whether explicitly described or implied herein,are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described variousexample embodiments of the disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Thus, the invention islimited only by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: A non-transitory memorystoring upcoming event information for a plurality of upcoming eventsand map information for a geographic area associated with a venue; andone or more hardware processors in communication with the non-transitorymemory and configured to: determine an upcoming event at a venue for auser using the upcoming event information; determine a portion ofcapacity of the venue for the event using first ticket sales comprisingunsold tickets and sold tickets to date for the upcoming event;determine an expected attendance for the event based on the first ticketsales; determine an event popularity map from the map information usingthe expected attendance for the venue and the portion of capacity; andcommunicate the event popularity map to the user for display on a userdevice.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more hardwareprocessors are further configured to: determine at least one additionalupcoming event for at least one additional venue within the geographicarea using the upcoming event information and the map information; anddisplay the at least one additional upcoming event on the eventpopularity map.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or morehardware processors are further configured to: determine percentages ofcapacity of the at least one additional venue for the at least oneadditional upcoming event using second ticket sales for the at least oneadditional upcoming event; and determine expected attendances for the atleast one additional upcoming event based on the second ticket sales,wherein the event popularity map is further determined using thepercentages of capacity and the expected attendances.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the event popularity map indicates a popularity of theevent and the at least one additional upcoming event using at least oneof a color of an event icon for the event and the at least oneadditional upcoming event and a size of the event icon.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the expected attendance is based upon a number ofpeople who have purchased tickets for the upcoming event within a timeframe.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the expected attendance furthercomprises a number of friends of the user attending the upcoming event.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more hardware processorsare further configured to: access social network information for theuser and the friends of the user; and determine the number of thefriends attending the upcoming event using the social networkinformation.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more hardwareprocessors are further configured to: receive a communication includingan indication of an event of interest to the user; and send to the usera communication including additional information regarding the event ofinterest to the user.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the event ofinterest comprises the upcoming event, and wherein the event popularitymap is determined in response to the indication of the upcoming event isthe event of interest to the user.
 10. A method comprising: determiningan upcoming event at a venue for a user using upcoming event informationfor a plurality of upcoming events; determining a portion of capacity ofthe venue for the event using first ticket sales comprising unsoldtickets and sold tickets to date for the upcoming event; determining anexpected attendance for the event based on the first ticket sales;determining an event popularity map from map information for ageographic area associated with the venue, wherein the event popularitymap is determined using the expected attendance for the venue and theportion of capacity; and communicating the event popularity map to theuser for display on a user device.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: determining at least one additional upcoming event for atleast one additional venue within the geographic area using the upcomingevent information and the map information; and displaying the at leastone additional upcoming event on the event popularity map.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: determining percentages ofcapacity of the at least one additional venue for the at least oneadditional upcoming event using second ticket sales for the at least oneadditional upcoming event; and determining expected attendances for theat least one additional upcoming event based on the second ticket sales,wherein the event popularity map is further determined using thepercentages of capacity and the expected attendances.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the event popularity map indicates a popularity of theevent and the at least one additional upcoming event using at least oneof a color of an event icon for the event and the at least oneadditional upcoming event and a size of the event icon.
 14. The methodof claim 10, wherein the expected attendance is based upon a number ofpeople who have purchased tickets for the upcoming event within a timeframe.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the expected attendancefurther comprises a number of friends of the user attending the upcomingevent.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising: accessing socialnetwork information for the user and the friends of the user; anddetermining the number of the friends attending the upcoming event usingthe social network information.
 17. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: receiving a communication including an indication of anevent of interest to the user; and sending to the user a communicationincluding additional information regarding the event of interest to theuser.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the event of interestcomprises the upcoming event, and wherein the event popularity map isdetermined in response to the indication of the upcoming event is theevent of interest to the user.
 19. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium having stored thereon machine-readable instructions executable tocause a machine to perform operations comprising: determining anupcoming event at a venue for a user using upcoming event informationfor a plurality of upcoming events; determining a portion of capacity ofthe venue for the event using first ticket sales comprising unsoldtickets and sold tickets to date for the upcoming event; determining anexpected attendance for the event based on the first ticket sales;determining an event popularity map from map information for ageographic area associated with the venue, wherein the event popularitymap is determined using the expected attendance for the venue and theportion of capacity; and communicating the event popularity map to theuser for display on a user device.
 20. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the expected attendance isbased upon a number of people who have purchased tickets for theupcoming event within a time frame.